What are America's values? To what extent should we stand up for them in our dealings with foreign countries like China, Egypt, Mexico, North Korea... our trading partners, our allies, and our enemies?
Over the past two weeks, Chinese artist Chen Guangcheng who was on house arrest as a dissident for criticizing China's one child policy and the abuses that result escaped to the U.S. Embassy. There he was housed secretly for a while, until leaving voluntarily for medical treatment for injuries sustained in his escape, and because the Chinese government (mostly at the local level) had detained, beaten, and threatened his wife and others involved in his escape. Just this weekend, the U.S. arranged a deal by which he and his family will be allowed to come to the U.S. for him to pursue a PHD at an American University. This human rights dilemma strained US-China relations while it was in play, but for this one man it seems that a face-saving compromise was reached. But what about others? What about masses of people facing discrimination and abuse in other countries? When and where should the U.S. intervene?
Here is a great article just published today in the Wall Street Journal by John Huntsman who was recently the U.S. ambassador to China and a Republican candidate for president through the early primary election debates.
Should the U.S. put American interests first... where military cooperation, trade, or resources are involved and approach the world in a very practical way?
Or, should the U.S. put American ideals first... and stand up for human rights around the world even where military cooperation, trade, or resources might be lost as a consequence of our policies?
What do you think?
What are some examples of human rights around the world where you think the U.S. should take a stand? Where to you think the U.S. should mind its own business?
Human Rights and U.S. Policy
What are America's values? To what extent should we stand up for them in our dealings with foreign countries like China, Egypt, Mexico, North Korea... our trading partners, our allies, and our enemies?
Over the past two weeks, Chinese artist Chen Guangcheng who was on house arrest as a dissident for criticizing China's one child policy and the abuses that result escaped to the U.S. Embassy. There he was housed secretly for a while, until leaving voluntarily for medical treatment for injuries sustained in his escape, and because the Chinese government (mostly at the local level) had detained, beaten, and threatened his wife and others involved in his escape. Just this weekend, the U.S. arranged a deal by which he and his family will be allowed to come to the U.S. for him to pursue a PHD at an American University. This human rights dilemma strained US-China relations while it was in play, but for this one man it seems that a face-saving compromise was reached. But what about others? What about masses of people facing discrimination and abuse in other countries? When and where should the U.S. intervene?
Here is a great article just published today in the Wall Street Journal by John Huntsman who was recently the U.S. ambassador to China and a Republican candidate for president through the early primary election debates.
Huntsman Article
Should the U.S. put American interests first... where military cooperation, trade, or resources are involved and approach the world in a very practical way?
Or, should the U.S. put American ideals first... and stand up for human rights around the world even where military cooperation, trade, or resources might be lost as a consequence of our policies?
What do you think?
What are some examples of human rights around the world where you think the U.S. should take a stand? Where to you think the U.S. should mind its own business?